CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. MANTELL. 201 



ligious feeling with which you regard it. As the affliction 

 is hitherto confined to the lower extremities, it may be con 

 sistent with continued life, and even usefulness, for many 

 instances occur of afflictions of this class remaining in abey 

 ance for many years, although they are certainly of anxious 

 and doubtful presage. I know not what have been your 

 table habits; but permit me (I trust without offence or 

 indelicacy) to remark that, if like most English gentlemen, 

 as the habits of society were when I knew England, you 

 have been accustomed to perhaps a tumbler of porter 

 with your dinner, and two or three glasses of port or ma 

 deira after it, you will, I have no doubt, find great advan 

 tage by dropping them all,, and relying on water and 

 nutritious food, simple and sufficient, without redun 

 dancy. Wonders have been effected in this country by 

 such changes, and I am myself a monument of their effi 

 cacy. Eighteen years ago, through fatigues and excessive 

 labors, anxiety and grief, I was almost broken down in my 

 nervous system ; and, although not paralytic, I had severe 

 spasms and frequent numbness of limbs ; but now, by 

 God's blessing and a resolute perseverance in simple hab 

 its of living, without alcoholic drinks, I am, when past 

 threescore, hale and active, and in body and mind able to 

 sustain incessant labor. You will pardon me if my remarks 

 are superfluous, for I am sure you will regard them as well- 

 intended. You speak of relaxation, most desirable, no 

 doubt. Can you not place some professional friend as a 

 locum tenens in your place, while you embark in the spring 

 for this country, and pass a few months or weeks, if you 

 can spare no more time With us, making our house your 

 home, and regulating your excursions as you may find it 

 convenient and agreeable ; and, if Reginald or your daugh 

 ter should accompany you, so much the better. "Will you 

 give me your thoughts on this hastily expressed suggestion, 



on which I have now not a moment to enlarge I -y 



am glad that the bust pleases you, and I am glad it ar- 



